Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Letter To The Editor

A home in Willisville that had been one of South Nevada County's oldest landmarks burned to the ground Monday night, February. 5, or Tuesday morning, February 6. It will be sorely missed by the family.

Built around 1900, the house was owned by J.W. (Will) and Allie Silvey since 1909 and they raised their six children there. The children, in turn, had maintained the home and visited in it often since Mr. Will died in 1955. Not only did the first generation enjoy being back at the old homeplace, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren spent many happy hours there as they grew up.

The house had been burglarized 24 times since Mrs. Silvey's death in 1967 (the last two times being in November 2000 and December during the ice storm); nevertheless, the family resisted giving up this wonderful quiet place on top of a hill under Magnolia trees where one could go sit on the porch and enjoy. As members of the family passed on the old house was still the connection we could all make.

If thieves/arsonists are responsible for this cowardly deed (officials think they are), may they not rest until they experience the hurt an unnecessary loss brings.

Ray Silvey and the Silvey family

Texarkana